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Finding a job after graduation | Lifestyle

Thursday, 27 August 2015

So with the fling of your cap you've graduated, and the care
free days of university life are now behind you. But as that black cap comes
falling down, reality can hit hard. For 2 or 3 years you've had your life planned out before
you, but now you’re on your own and wondering what to do next. Because the
truth is, nobody ever prepares you for life after uni, and as much as you keep
telling yourself that you’re a grown-up, you really don’ feel like one. But although the job market can feel fierce, the world is
now yours for the taking! No longer do you need to sit pondering about what you want
to do, because now is the time to take action and set yourself upon a new
exciting journey that can lead you anywhere. Thanks to the golden ticket that is now a degree, doors are
going to open for you, but only if you find the key…

Ask yourself this
question…

What do you really want to do?

You may be one of the lucky few who have always known what
they want to be when their all grown-up, but for the majority of us we’re still
working it out. It’s rare that you know exactly the job you want to take on,
so to make it easier on yourself and think about the things that you enjoy
doing the most. If you can find a career that you love doing then you’ll set
yourself up for a far better work life experience, and gain a much happier
balance. Of course although eating cake is what many of us love doing, be
realistic, as Mary Berry has already taken that position.

Don’t be generic

The scattergun approach of sending our your CV to every
company with a position is never going to work, remember everyone will be doing
this, so don’t be basic and think of inventive ways that you can sell yourself. Whether it’s a delicious box of chocolates sent to the
director of the company with a businesscard USB stick of your CV and portfolio or a shoe posted to your would be
manager to get your ‘foot in the door’, you can find out their likes and
dislikes thanks to a little social stalking. And it’s nothing new, some of the
most creative professionals have landedtheir dream jobs in much crazier ways.

Note down all the best things about you and the points that
they’ve posted in the job description, and create a way in that portrays these.

Do your homework

If you think homework stopped at university then you’re
going at your job hunt all wrong!

Utilise your skills for research for finding your perfect
job, from looking at brands that you love to see if they’re recruiting, to
searching their current employees to find out what it’s really like to work
there. You may be surprised at what you find, and this is a chance
for you to find a place that can help your career thrive.

Show your passion

A degree can be a help or a hindrance, but what can really
make you stand out is your experience.

It’s surprising how much this matters, as for many employers
both work and life experience plays a vital role in helping you to carry out
your work. Try volunteering yourself for a short internship whilst you
search for a job, or even start a blog where you can show off your skills and
passion for the area that you want to get into. You only need to look at the amount of bloggers that have
found their dream vocation thanks to hitting the keyboard. It’s free to start
so what’s stopping you?

Keep learning

Life is one big learning curve and you’ll be expected to
learn new things in your job role as well, so taking the initiative to do some
further learning after your degree can show your future employers that you’re
keen to be an asset to the company and willing to learn new things.There are a variety of online courses which are free and cover all sorts of topics from marketing to
journalism, or nutrition to childcare, and can be a stepping stone to a your
dream role. Whilst you’re waiting to get you first break, create a
routine for yourself, as the boredom monster can soon send you round the bend
waiting for the phone to ring. Keep busy and above all stay positive!